by Christina Lee on June 7th, 2009
This Father’s Day, U.S. consumers are buying what they know will suit their loved ones, while spending just a little less.
After spending $88.01 on recent graduates and $123.89 on mothers in May, U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $90.89 on fathers, down from last year’s $94.54. The National Retail Federation also expects total spending to reach $9.4 billion, according to the D.C. trade association’s most recent survey.
Sporting goods, gardening tools and appliances are still mainstay Father’s Day gifts, as consumers anticipate spending more than $500 million in each product category.
But while ties and socks also... Read more »
by Christina Lee on April 14th, 2009
Not just income, but also TV-watching and Internet-browsing habits, should help manufacturers determine how “recession-proof” consumers may be, a recent study shows.
Throughout the past year, consumer confidence has largely been measured and addressed as a whole. But according to marketing and media researcher Nielsen, consumers will not all respond in the same manner to current economic conditions.
The study created consumer groups based on how and by how much they save money:
Recession Indifferent consumers are barely, if at all changing their spending habits.
Recession Insensitive consumers will cut spending on luxuries like entertainment and eating out, as they... Read more »
by Christina Lee on March 4th, 2009
This St. Patrick’s Day, retailers are less likely to spot green on consumers, whether they are wearing or carrying it, according to a National Retail Federation survey released yesterday.
As fewer consumers decide to participate, so do their total expected spending. This year, 44.1 percent of U.S. consumers plan to spend $3.29 billion on St. Patrick’s Day. Both figures show a slight decline in both participation and spending from last year, when 46.0 percent of consumers said they planned to spend $3.64 billion to celebrate.
The notable decline in spending derives from everyone – even the biggest holiday spenders, young... Read more »
by Leeia Ladipoh on September 22nd, 2008
Unless you’ve been hiding under a non-carbon based rock for the last five years, you are probably aware that there is a massive environmental movement under way. This movement is centered around the dangers posed to the planet by global warming, as caused by the actions of human beings.
Governments, businesses, and individuals are all on the green train, but there is a new worry on the horizon: will people eventually tire of being told what to do in order to save the planet?
There is a curve when it comes to marketing of any product or idea. First, the... Read more »
by Rebecca Button on April 7th, 2008
I remember the days when cell phones were exciting because they were cordless AND you could use them past your front porch without it crackling and buzzing you deaf. Then came the ringtones. And the cameras. And the text messages, email, internet, music and video. I can’t afford the latest and greatest (mine simply allows for phone calls and a few texts) but when they add a "Makes You Breakfast in Bed" feature I’ll seriously consider upgrading.
But as is, I, along with countless others, still possess the capability of participating in text shopping, the latest service offered by Amazon.com... Read more »